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EKU Names Eastman Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Dr. E. Michael Eastman has been named vice president for Development and Alumni Relations at Eastern Kentucky University.

Eastman, vice president for university advancement at Indiana’s Manchester University since 2005, will bring nearly 30 years of fundraising experience to the position. He will join the Eastern staff on Aug. 1.

During his tenure at Manchester University, Eastman led the efforts to complete a capital campaign that raised $70 million and the current $100 million comprehensive campaign, which has raised more than $87 million to date. He also served as a member of the President’s Cabinet and was responsible for dozens of gifts ranging from $1 million to $35 million.

“I look forward to Michael Eastman joining my senior leadership team,” said Dr. Mike Benson, who will become EKU’s 12th president the same day. “He is a highly experienced, respected and successful fundraising executive who will advise me on a full range of matters related to EKU’s development and alumni goals and initiatives. He also will provide the strategic planning and execution of Eastern’s soon-to-be-announced comprehensive campaign.

“Throughout Michael’s career, he has achieved impressive successes in higher education fundraising, particularly at Manchester University where he helped raise $70 million, $20 million above the capital campaign’s goal.

“I also extend my deepest appreciation to Mark Sandy, who for the past several months, has served as interim vice president,” Benson added. “Mark’s attention to detail and solid business acumen have helped prepare our development and alumni relations program for this transition in leadership. Even though he will return as Eastern’s Athletics Director, Mark will continue to be an integral part of our fundraising efforts.”

Eastman previously held development and alumni relations positions at Ball State University; the University of Cincinnati; George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.; and Anderson (Ind.) University.

“It will be a pleasure to work with President Benson and the development and alumni teams at Eastern Kentucky University,” Eastman said. “It is with great anticipation that I look forward to working together to move the University forward.”

A graduate of Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management, he also holds a doctoral degree in adult education from Ball State University, a master’s degree in educational administration from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in religious education and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Anderson University.